As we already chronicled in this space, the performance by the younger depth players on the Patriots was probably the most impressive aspect of the preseason opener. And we explained why that could be important to the league's oldest roster.
So that's great.
The flipside is ... how are you going to keep all of those players, especially players like Jakobi Meyers, Braxton Berrios, Byron Cowart, Shilique Calhoun and Nick Thurman — players who are largely on the outside looking in — even before injured players Cameron Meredith, Demaryius Thomas, Yodny Cajuste and Josh Gordon are ready to join the team?
To start, last year's Super Bowl roster lost only 11 players, and just five of those positions were on defense. The Patriots have ready-made replacements. That's the easy part.
Now things get a lot tougher, especially when you consider that you have to include two running backs in Brandon Bolden and Damien Harris, and they're likely not getting rid of any (Rex Burkhead's cap hit makes that tough).
I consider seven new players to be absolute locks to make the roster. Some positions, like punter and quarterback, are easy switches (if the Patriots are really going to go with only Jarrett Stidham at backup QB — I'm not so sure about that). Then we get into the players that I think represent the fat of the roster. Here are those swaps from the 53-man Super Bowl roster:
Now, this is where the fun — or uncomfortable conversations, depending on your point of view — starts. You want to see Meyers, Berrios, Calhoun or others of their upstart ilk on the roster — let alone Gordon, Meredith or Thomas? Then you're going to have to start letting go players who have played a lot of snaps for this team.
Basically, for every player you want to keep from the left column, you have to remove one on the right (you also have to factor in not being caught short at a position, but we'll deal with that later).
Each column represents my own personal pecking order — most desireable on the roster on the left, most cuttable on the right. For this exercise, we're not including Julian Edelman and Ben Watson — they're on the roster.
Not so easy, huh?
Will be interested to read your picks in the comments, but here are my choices in the interim (I'll have my latest 53-man roster for Monday morning):
DT Byron Cowart for DT Adam Butler: I've loved Butler since he was an undrafted rookie, but he's just not the same player (it appears he bulked up to be better against the run). Cowart, a fifth-round pick (borderline a lock unless a lost-cause) brings the same quickness and is stronger against the run. Since I'm also letting Danny Shelton go, we have to keep one big body. Bill Belichick may go a little skimpy at defensive tackle, but he's not going to drop down to just two. That would be the upset of the year. I think it's more likely he keeps four than goes down to two.
WR Jakobi Meyers for DT Danny Shelton: Meyers, to this point, has earned a place on the team to the point I would keep him over a Maurice Harris if I had to. Meyers, right now, is the Edelman backup at slot, not Berrios.
Edge Shilique Calhoun for Edge John Simon: This is where the tough choices start to come. With all the LB-heavy pressure packages the Patriots figure to be unleashing, Calhoun is a perfect scheme fit as a Raiders castoff. I've liked him from jump, and the Patriots have too. Simon is Mr. Steady on the outside but Kyle Van Noy has basically already moved there, and Jamie Collins and Dont'a Hightower can play there as well if need be. They have enough veterans, time to get a little younger.
TE Ryan Izzo for LB Elandon Roberts (trade): Izzo is by far the best blocker in the TE group, and that counts a lot. Roberts has been a favorite of mine for a while and he's steadily improved, but time to find him a less-crowded LB crew to run with.
WR Josh Gordon for S Nate Ebner: If/when Gordon is activated, he needs a spot. The writing has been on the wall for Ebner since they signed Brooks, who is younger and more of a factor on defense.
That's all I have for now. I have a really hard time letting go of anyone else on the list, so I could live with it if they were traded. Keion Crossen is too good as a gunner to part with, and Duke Dawson and Derek Rivers have barely had a chance to prove themselves one way or another. Sorry, but I can't find a spot for Braxton Berrios.
In addition to Roberts, you might be able to fetch something in a trade for Duron Harmon, especially for a team trying to build a Patriots-like culture (Dolphins, Lions). I am no longer entertaining offers for Jonathan Jones because Dawson isn't ready to play the slot, and nobody else is an ideal fit.
Remember the Titans
Like last week, the Patriots will hold joint practices with the Titans this week in Nashville on Wednesday and Thursday ahead of Saturday night's preseason game.
Important things to know about Mike Vrabel's troops (beyond the beatdown they put on New England last season):
- Beat the Eagles 27-10 in Week 1.
- Arthur Smith is the new offensive coordinator after Matt LaFleur left for Green Bay. He was previously the tight end coach. Not sure this is great for Marcus Mariota's development.
- Former Patriots linebacker Tyrone McKenzie (2009-10) is the inside linebackers coach. Former defensive coordinator Dean Pees is still running that side of the ball.
- Former Patriots players: CB Malcolm Butler, RB Dion Lewis, CB Logan Ryan, WR Cody Hollister, DL Frank Herron.
- Former Boston College standout OLB Harold Landry was the 41st overall pick in 2018 and is slated to start.
- WR Adam Humphries, whom the Patriots tried to sign in free agency, had four catches for 24 yards and two first downs on his first six plays.
- Standout DT Jurrell Casey (knee) has been activated from PUP.
- Four draft picks — first-round pick Jeffery Simmons, second-round pick A.J. Brown, third-round pick Nate Davis and fifth-round pick D'Andre Walker (injured reserve) — have been dealing with injuries.
- Former Dolphins starter Ryan Tannehill is Mariota's backup this season, and his Miami teammate Cameron Wake has been added to wreak havoc.
- Former Patriot WR Cody Hollister had four catches for 58 yards and one TD in the opener.
- Patriots' offense should be tested by a very good secondary (CBs Butler, Ryan and Adoree' Jackson, safeties Kevin Byard and Kenny Vaccaro). Great pass rushers in Casey, Wake and Landry.